Automobile signal



Jail, 6,' 1925.

Filed Jan. 25, 1922 l. GREEN, JR

AUTOMOBILE S I GNAL 2 Sheets-Sheet, l

Jan, 6,i 1925,

. AUTOMOBILE Filed Jan. 25, 1922 l. GREEN. JR

SIGNAL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IllrllllMH Patented dan,

STAras `FFIR ESEDR GREEN, JR.. 0F EUNTINGTON, EST VIRGINmf anroiuosrrn stenen i Application filed anuary 25, 1922. Serial No. 531,759.

Huntington, in the county of Cabell and .State of West virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automobile Signals, of whichthe following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to automobile signals and more particularly to an automatically actuated signal for indicating the operations of the driver of the vehicle to which it is attached.

-An important object of the invention is to provide in a device of this character a novel and efficient operating mechanism whereby the normal action of the operator in controlling the vehicle is lexpressed by a series of light signals at convenient location, as for example, the rear end of the vehicle.

A further object of the invention is to provide an operating mechanism of this character i with particular respect to the direction control of theyvehicle which may be operated either from the rotatable steer ing post usually employed in automobiles, or from some part of the automobile which moves simultaneously with the movement of the wheels, as for example, the rod connecting the spindle arms of the steering wheels, and to provide an operating` mech.

anism which may be readily altered so that it may be attached at either point.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is extremely simple in construction and positive in its operation, and which in itself provides against extraordinary movement on the part of the operating mechanism with which -it is associated. y y

A still further object is to provide a similar device for operation by a lever which is shifted in stopping the automobile, in order that the intention of the operator to stop may be designated.

I Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent throughout the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration l have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention,

and wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout Figure l is a fragmentary side elevation of an auto showing a signal and controltherefor applied to the automobile; y Figure 2 is a section on the line 2 2 of Figure l;

is a sectionon thc line 3-3 of Figure 3 Figure 2;

Figure e is a planview' of the control box;

Tiigure 5 is a fragmentary plan view showing the manner of mounting the control bor; on the front axle;

igure 6 is a section on the line (3-6 of Figure l;

Figure 7 is a section on the line 7-7 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a wiring diagram showing one manner of connecting the control mechanism with a signal.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, F designates the frame of 'the automobile, S a steering control member and L a shiftable lever operating to assist in the checking movement of the machine. Upon the Jframe of the automobile, I mount a control bor:` C and a control plate P, each having an interrupted connection with one of the lights of a signal, and upon the steering element S and shiftable lever L, I secure operating mechanisms M andzM for controlling the operation of the control box C and control plate P so that when the steeringalevice or lever is operated, said operation is indicated at the signal element E.

The control box C comprises a casing divided centrally and longitudinally into compartmentsby a wall 10, the ends of the compartments having openings 11 formed therein and having at the sides of these openings similarly arranged screw threaded openings 12. rThese screw threaded open-- ings are adapted for the reception of securing elements 13 by .means of which are attached to the ends of the compartments, closure plates 14 or 15 as the case may be, the closure plates being interchangeable with one another. The closure plate '14, hereinafter to be referred to as the bottom closure plate, has formed therein openings 16 .through which extend headed elements 17 which are held in position by lock nuts 18. A plate is provided as at 19 having apertures through which the headed elements 17 extend and springs 2O surroundV the' headed elements intermediate the heads -lower end with an enlargement 21"L which engages against the face of the plate 19 next adjacent the plate 14. Y

Within the tubular member 21 a plunger' 22, having an enlarged head 22 1 fitting withA in the tubular member, is mounted and intermediate the end of the member remote from the plate 19 andthe enlarged plunger head 22, a spring v23 surrounds the plunger 22' normally forcing the plunger toward the lower end of the tubular member. The side Walls of the tubular members are provided with a series of openings'24 adapted for the reception of stop pins 2,4* which limit the downward movement'of the plunger Within the tubular member. The upperend 'of the tubular member extends through an opening 25 formed in the top of the plate 15, and the upper end of the plunger 22, adapted for attachment tol an operating element.

It will of course be noted that a tubular element, the plate 19, and the associated elements are attached to each of .the bottom plates 14 and attention is directed to the factV that these elements are all removable fronrthe compartment simply by the removal of the bottom plate 14. lVith the bottom plate in position, it will be seen that if the plunger 22 is drawn toward the'upper end of the tubular member 21, the plate 19 will be simultaneously shiftedin its direction, as

the spring 23 is' of greater strength than the combined strength of the springs 20. lVhen, however, theA plate 19 lhas reached the limit of its movemeY the spring 23 will be com pressed Withilbthe tubular element 21 thus compensating for any unusual length of movement on the part of the operating mechanism. v

Adj acentone end of the control box and the side walls ofeach of the compartments -and in opposite sides thereofyare formed pairs of aligned slotted .openings 26 through -which extend contacting elements 27 suitably insulated from the control box` and adjustable within the slots. One of the compartments has formed at the opposite end thereof a similar arrangement of slots 26',

the purpose of which will presently appear.'

These contacts 27 extend entirely across the compartment upon, opposite sides of the tubular member 21y and overlie the plate 19, so that when the plate 1^ is elevated a predetermined distance it engages the contacts and completes the circuit therebetween.

By reference to the diagram shown in Figure 10, it will be seen that one contact of each pair is connected with one pole of a battery, and the other Contact of the pair is counectedin series with. the light and other pole of the battery, so that when the circuit is completed the corresponding light will be lit. In this diagram the light ot' the circuit (zis shown lit and the light of 'the circuit b is shown out` indicating for example that Vthe driver of the vehicle iutends to turn to the left.

The means employed for operating the plungers vary with the type of machineI to whirl the device is applied. These types;

may, however, be divided into two' subvthe pulley 28 so that when'the wheel is rotated in one direction, oneA of the elements will'be tightened, and when the wheel is rotated inthe opposite direction, the otherI of the elements will be tightened. The plunger whose element is tightened will be drawn upwardy bringing with it the asso cia-ted plate 19and completing the contact to light the corresponding light of the signal element E. It will be observed that the fact that the contact members 27 are adjustably 'mounted in the slots 26 will permit of variation of g the point of contact. In other words,l the corresponding light in the'signalv may be caused to glow for a short mov(`- ment of the steering wheel, or for a longer movement if desired. This adjustment is necessary, in many instances, due to the fact that the steering wheel itself has considerable play and the steering shaft 29' is not operated except for-actual turning movement of Ithe wheel. j

In the latter class mentioned, the control box C is secured to the steering axle 31 in" any desired manner and to the connecting rod' 32 of the spindles are secured arms 33. In this form the plunger of one of the compartmcnts is inverted, that is to say, lthe plates 14 and 15 are transposed and the contacts 27 are transferred to the slots 26;,` connections being made-in the usual manner. The arms 33 are secured to the ,connecting rod 32 at opposite ends of-the control box AC and each connected to a plunger 22 by a flexible element 34. It will be seen that if the connecting rod 32 is shifted longitudinally` in either direction, as it will be when the wheels are turned, one of the plungers 22will Ibe actuated and the other4 provision of a considerable adjustment, else in some instances the warning light would not be lit until the wheels had arrivedat a considerable angle and in other instancesV they would be lit for a very slight move ment of the wheels, which is generallv undesirable.

'lin the control plate P' l have shown a slightly modified form ot` control for the light. rlhis control plate preferably comprises an insulatory plate upon which are mounted a pair of' plates from which are mounted a pair 'of spaced contacts 36 connected in series with a` battery and light. The plate 35 likewise forms a mounting for a bell crank connectinfr member 37. Upon the plate is formed an ear 38 having an opening therethrough, through which is directed a rod or plunger 39 and intermediate one arm of the bell crank and the ear'38 a spring 40 lsurrounds the plunger 3). The plunger 39 is connected through the medium of a spring 41 and the liexible element 42 which passes about apulley-et?) secured upon the under surface of the floor of the car, the control plate being shown in the present in-l stance as associated with a shifting le'vcr fd controlling or operated in checking the movement of the automobile. The end of the flexible element 4-2 is secured to the shifting lever as at 42a so that when the lever is shifted, 'the flexible elementis shifted longitudinally.' rlhe spring l1 is oi greater strength than the spring 40 and accordingly, longitudinal shifting of the flexible element 1li?, will cause the plunger 39' to be drawn through the ear and the bell cranl: to be shifted about its pivot, bringing the end et-/l thereof into engagement with the have provided a vsignalling device which is '69j particulary Well adapted for the use for Vwhich it is intended by reason of its wide lrange ot' adjustability, provision against over-operation et' the operating mechanism from which it 1s actuated, and simplicity in construction. .tt will furthermore be obra ous that the modifications hereinbefore illustrated are but examples showing constructions which mightbe employed to accomplish the desired results and accordinglythe same must not be construed aslimiting.

' lllhat is claimed is:

l. ln a signalling` device, the combination with a receptacle having open ends and interchangeable closures for said ends, said receptacle being provided adjacent each end thereof and in oppositewalls with pairs of aligned longitudinally' extending slots, a pair of contacts mounted in the slots at one cnd of said receptacle, a plate connected with the end closure at said end .and adapted to engage said contacts and complete the circuit therebetween. means normali)y holding said plate out olf engagement with said contacts, `a primo mover. and a vieldable connection between said prime mover and plate extending through an opening formed in the closure of the other end of the receptacle.

2. In a signalling device, the combination with a receptacle sub-divided toform a pair ot chambers having openehds and interchangeable closures for the ends ot said chambers. said chambers being each provided adjacent one end thereof and in opposite walls with pairs of aligned longitudinally extending slots, one of said chambers being provided in the other end thereof with a similar pairof slots, a pair of contacts mounted in the slots adj accnt the first named end of the receptacle, the contacts ol the last named chamber being interchangeable in the pairs of slots thereof', a plate connccted with the end closure at one end of each of said chambers and adapted to engage said contacts and complete the circuit therebetween. means normali;v holding said plate out of engagement with said contacts. operating mechanism for said plate connected to the )late and extending through the closure at t ie opposite end of the chamber including a c vlinder engaged with the plate, a plunger shiftable within the cylin der, and a spring opposing the movement ot' the plunger in a direction awaj,7 from the plate. l

3. ln a signalling'device, the combination with a receptacle sub-'divided to form a pair of' chambersY having open ends and interchangeable closures for theends ot said chambers,A said chambers being each provided adjacent one end thereof and in opposite walls with pairs of aligned longitudinallj7 extending slots/onev of said chambers being provided in the other end thereof with a similar pair of slots, a pairlof contacts mounted in the slots adjacent the first nanied end of the receptacle, the contacts of 'the last named chamber being interchangeable in the pairs of slots thereof, a plate conneetedwith the end closure one end of each of said v the opposite end of the chamber includinga cylin er engaged with the plate, a plunger shiftable' Withm the sylinder, and a spring opposing the movement of the plunger in a direction away from the plate, said contacts being adjustable longitudinally of said slots.'

4. In a signalling device, the combination with a receptacle sub-'divided to form a pair of chambers .having open ends and interchangeable closures for the ends of said chambers` said `chambers beinnr each provided adjacent one end thereof5 posite walls with pairs of aligned longitudinally extending. slots, one of said chambers being provided in the other end thereof with a similar'pair of slots,`a pair of contacts mounted in the slots adjacent the first named end' of the` receptaclefthe contacts of the last named chamber being interchangeable in' the pairs of slots thereof, a plate connected with the end closure at one end of each of said chambers and adapted to engage said contacts and complete the circuit therebetween, means normally holding said plate out of engagement with said contacts, operating mechanism for said plate connected `to the plate,V and extending through the closure at the opposite end of the chamber including a -cylinder engaged with the plate, a plunger shiftable Within the cylinder, and a spring opposing the movement of the plunger in a direction away from the plate, said plate holding means therefor and operating means therefor being removable asha unit with the end closure to which the plate is'connected.

5. In a signalling device, the combina-1 i tion With a receptacle sub-divided to form a pair of chambers having open ends and interchangeable closures for the ends of said chambers, said chambers being 4each providedadjacent one end thereof and in opposite .Walls with pairs of aligned longi4 tudinally extending slots, one of said chambers vbeing provided in the other end thereof with a similar pair of slots, a pair of contacts mounted in the slots adjacent the 'connected to the plate connected with the end closure at one en d of each of said chambers and adapted to engage said contacts and complete thc circuit therebetween, means normally holding said plate out of engagement with said contacts, operating mechanism harsaid plate through the closure at the opposite end o plate and -extendin with the plate, a plunger shiftable Witiinff the cylinder, a spring opposing the movement of the plunger 1n a direction away vfrom the plate, and nieans for adjusting the tension ofl said spring.

6;,In a signalling device, a housing, a blade and operating means therefor within the housing and shiftable longitudinally thereef,'sziid housing being provided adjacent each end thereof in opposed lonvitudinal Walls thereof with pairs of aligned slots, a contact in the easing having its ends disposed in said slots.y means for securing the contact in adjusted position within the slots, the contact being interchangeably engageable in said pairs'of slots, and interchangeable end plates for the housing providing mountings yfor the blade and operating4 member. l

7. In a signalling device, a housing, a blade within the housing, guides for the blade m'ounted\upon an end plate of the housing, an operating means for the blade includinga part directed through the end plate at Ithe opposite end of the housing, a.

Contact within the housing and interchangeably engageable with opposite ends thereof, the end plates of said housing being interchangeable.

8. In a signalling device, a control box, longitudinally shiftable blades mounted within the control box and supported by the endwalls thereof, contacts within the control box for each blade, the end walls of the' control box mounting one of said blades be;

.ing interchangeable to thereby reverse the IsEDoR GREEN, Ja 

